Welder&#39;s helmet



Jan. 18, 1944. 'R MADSON `2,339,280

WELDERS HELMET Filed Sept. 13, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 18, 1944. H, R, MADsoN 2,339,280

WELDER S HELMET Filed sept. 15. 1941 2 sheets-Sheet 2 rlJNl'rED STATES* PATENT OFFICE y 2.339.280` A wELIERS Harold Roy Madson, Glen lll., assignor to Welding Apparatus Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation o! Illinois 8 Claims.

The present invention relates to a welder's helmet having a swingable shield pivotally connect- .ed to and supported byia head harness iltting the head of the operator, and carrying a, lightltering lens, and also having means for opening and closing such lens by a movement of the operators chin.

Among the objects of the invention is to provide a novel chin operated lens actuator which is normally located beneath the chin with a small clearance for allowing a given small amountof free and natural movement of the chin without effecting any movement of the novel actuator, yet being sumciently proximate to the chin to be moved by the chin upon greater movements ofthe chin, whereby any desired opening of the lens will be accordingly effected to afford the operator with a free and unintercepted view of the work between welding operations, at which time. both of the hands of the operator are free for handling the work as desired. Such actuator also comprises novel means for adjustably supporting the actuator with reference to .the chin for the operative relations referred to above.

jAnother object of the invention is to provide novel means which abuts against the chin for holding the shield and the lens means carried by the shield in such position in front of the operators face that the lines of collimation of the operators eyes will normally extend through the upper portion of the lens `or through the upper portion of the lens aperture when the lens has been n ioved down into an open position. This novel chin abutting means also includes means for adjusting the. abutting means with reference to the lens means to eiect the above referred to relations.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a novel means for effecting a direct movement of the lens when the chin operated means is moved by the chin. This novel means comprises a bow shaped lever which is pvotally connected to the sides. of the shield and rearwardly of the operators chin, and with the mid portion of the bow lever extending transversely and forwardly of the operators chin. The chin operated lens actuator referred to above may also be connected to such mid portion of the lbow lever.v From this mid portion of the bow lever forwardly extends a. lens actuating element thus forming a leg of thebow lever. It is linked directly to the lens means. AThe point of appli cation of the chin with the chin engaging ac-y tuator is intermediate of the pivots or fulcra of the lever and the point of linkage with the lens means, whereby a given small movement of the chin operated lens actuator will be a fraction of the movement of the lens, thus requiring but a small movement oi the chin for a larger movement of the lens effected directly by a simple lever movement and accordingly avoiding the complex and complicated lever systems heretofore found necessary, besides also eliminating the heretofore required large and extreme movements of the chin. By the present novel lens actuating means the operator is able to have better control of the extent of aperture opening above the lens, does not need to move his chin to as great an extent as heretofore, and avoids the tendency to fatigue oi' the jawmuscles.

The invention also comprehends novel connecting means between .the lens means and the actuating device for the lens, and also novel means for compensating for manufacturing variances. When making devices of the character disclosed on a production basis it is practically impossible to obtainA uniformity of structure and relationship of the various elements of the construction. In the illustrative embodiment of the present invention the bow lever is connected to the sides of the shield by slot and pin means whereby the bow lever may be adjustably mounted to bring the lens actuating element secured to the mid portion of the bow lever into central position relative to the lens means. At such position the just referred to actuating element is connected by .way of a link'to the lens means. Such link is pivotally connected to the lens means and has an aperture of greater size than the end portion of the actuating element extending through such aperture to allow a certain amount of play in compensation for the manufacturing variances referred to above.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of a novel lens means, and particularly the holder or carrier therefor. The holder is open at the top so that the line of view will be past the upper edge of the lens itself when in partly opened position, hence avoiding the heretofore frame bar at the top of the lens which bar confused the operator and oftentimes gave rise to leakage of light by way of a crack below such bar and between it and the upper edge of the lens. By omitting such bar the required movement of the chin to lower the lens and its frame is reduced at least to the extent of the width of such bar if it were used. The operator, by the present invention, is able to obtain al1 the necessary view above the upper edge of the lens he desires by a slight movement of the chin and,

hence. a similar movement ofthe lens. It is not necessary to make the lens opensc' much as in` the case when a bar is present because the view is obtained inmediately over the upper edge of the lens without any confusion that would arise Vif a bar were there to cut oi! the view.

otherwise injured, as by scratching or the like.

Another novel feature is the provision of means whereby the actuator, when the lens is in closed position, is normally inclined a few degrees upwardly above the horizontal plane of the axis of the actuator lever, and is capable of being swung downwardly past such horizontal plane and a few degrees below it. In that way the component forward and rearward movement is reduced to a minimum.

A further novel feature is the provision of means for holding the lens open. as at full opening, whenever it is desired to have a direct and Clearview of the work for a longer period of time than usual, and also to relieve the muscles from the eifort of holding the lens open for such longer time. Such means includes a catch at a suitable locus below the actuator where the end of the actuating lever or element may engage such catch. All the operator needs to do is to lower his chin further than usual to the extent wherein the lens is substantially fully open, at which position the actuator lever engages the catch and is thus held by such catch. That frees the operators chin. To unlatch the actuator lever, the operator merely presses a ringer against the catch to disengage it from the end of the' actuator lever whereupon the latter and the lens are moved upwardly by a suitable spring connected to the lever and the guard.

Other objects, capabilities, advantages. features and the like are comprehended by the inventicn as will later appear and as are inherently possessed by the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a part side elevational and part sectional view of the invention shown applied to the head of an operator; Y

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken in a horizontal plane represented by line 2-2 in Fig. of the drawings;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken in a plane represented by line 3-3 in Fig. l of the drawings;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken in planes represented by lines 4-4 in Fig. l of the drawings;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary rear elevational view with parts omitted and parts broken away, and taken in a plane represented by line 5 5 in Fig. 1 of the drawings; and,

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the lens guide feature.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, the embodiment selected to illustrate the invention is shown as comprising a shield Inormally located about the front portion of the operators head to protect it during the welding operation.

The shield comprises a front wall`I which covers the operators face, side walls 2 and 3, which extend along the sides of the head, a top portion 4 for covering the forehead, and an underlying portion 5 extending about the chin portion of the head.

The shield is pivotally connected to and supportedby a head harness, the latter comprising a head band 6 having its ends adjustable at the rear of the head and held in adjusted condition by a clamping means 1. Over the top of the head is a crown ystrip 8 having its lower ends suitably secured or fixed, as by rivets or the like, to the side portions of the head band 6, and having its upper ends adjustable and connected by suitable clamping means 9. The lengths of the head band 6 and the crown strip 8 may be adjusted manually to fit the head of the operator, after which the clamping means 1 and 9 are tightened to hold the head band and crown strip in adjusted condition.

The sides 2 and 3 of the guard are laterally spaced from the sides of the head band, and are connected thereto by friction pivot means, such asis shown in detail in Fig. 3.

Each pivot means comprises a stem I0 having a head II for bearing against the inner side of the head harness at the juncture of the head band 8 and the crown strip 8. The other end of the stem extends through a slot I2 provided in the side wall 3, or 2 as the case may be. The slotted portion of the side wall 3 or 2 is clamped between discs I3 and I4, the disc I3 being pressed by the flange of a nut I5 screwed on the threaded portion of the stem I0, and the disc I4 being pressed by way of a washer I8 in turn pressed by a nut I1 threaded to the end portion of the stem I0. Against the juncture of the head band E and the-crown strip 8 is a washer I8 pressed by a spring I9 interposed between such washer I8 and the flange of the nut I5.

By adjusting the nut I5 on the stem I8 the spring I9 is compressed as desired to impose the desired friction between the head harness and the washer I8. By adjusting the nut I'I the clamping of the side wall 3 between the discs I3 and I4 is effected as desired. The contacting surfaces between the crown strip 8 and the washel` I8 on one side thereof and the head II on the other side thereof act as a friction means to retain the angular relation of the shield and the head harness. For example, whenever it is desired to move the shield from in front of the face of the operator, it may be swung upwardly tothe dotted line position shown in Fig. 1. The friction in the above described pivot means will be sufficient to hold the shield in such elevated position, and to prevent it from falling or idling down, yet will permit a forced downward swing of the shield by the operators hand when it is desired tobring the shield again opposite the operators face.

The front wall I has an aperture 20 and a window structure with a movable light-filter lens. The structure comprises outer and inner window frames 2I and 22 in registry with the aperture 20, each frame having suitable flanges 23 and 24 clamped to the marginal or border portions of the front I about the aperture 20 by suitable securing means, such as bolts 25 or the like. The outer frame has an aperture 28 which is closed a transparency 21 of any suitable material, such as glass, mica, transparent compositions, and the like, held in place by suitable springs 28. 'Ihe inner window frame 22 has a correspondingly registering aperture 29 opposite which is the light-filter lens device.

The latter device comprises a pair of telescopically engaged frame componentsv 30 and 3| provided with apertures 32 and 33 to register with the apertures 29, and 26 referred to above, the telescopical engagement being by way of slidable and overlapping resilient flanges 34 and 36 (see Fig. 2) having any suitable means, such as registering projections and depressions (not shown) for holding the components together. The component 32 is secured to the frame 22 in lany suitable manner, as by brazing, welding, or the like.

At the rear of the frame part 3l is located another transparency 36 in a frame 31 having an aperture 38 in registry with the apertures 33, 32, 29, 20 and 26 referred to above. The frame 31 has resilient flanges 39 at .its sides to telescopically slide over the sides of the lens frame, and to be releasably held therewith by suitable means, suchas' registering projections and depressions (not shown)."4 f

In the lens frame -3I vertically slides the light-filter lens 40 Awhich is carriedin a holder or carrier frame having a lowerv cross bar 4I, vertical side bars l24 and 43, and upper stubs 44 and y overhang'ing-the upper corners of the lens 40. The frame parts 30 and 3| are elongated downwardly (see Fig., 1) to provide anrextensionbelow the window structure in Vgeneral so .as to provide `space for the downward movement of the lens 40 and its carrier. From the mid portion of the cross bar 4I depends a vstem 46 which slides through a suitable opening 41 in the lower end of the lens frame 3ll--3`I-V (see Figs. 1 and-5).

The vertical carrier parts 42 and 43 and the narrow portionsonly of the lateral margins of the lens 4|] slide between guide shoulders 48 and g 49, whereby the main surface area onboth sides of the lens 40 will be spaced from the frame components30 and 3| so that Ait will be impossible to mar, as by scratching or votherwise injuring,

`suchsurfaces of the lens.

The distance betweenthe guide shoulders 43 'and 49 is preferably greater than the-thickness of the lens carrierv (see Fig. l) ,so that lenses oi.'

movement of the lens and its carrier.

various thicknesses'mayibe used,V even though being in some eases thicker than the carrier itself. In -all cases only Vthe narrow vedge portions of the lens will rub against the guidefshoulders 48 and49. y

The device is designed so that when the operator is in `normal'position looking'horizontally through the window and lens the lines of vision will be-through the upper-portion thereof, that is, where the lens first opens so- ,that the operator may see throughupon the first opening of the lens even though such opening be but slight.-

Therefore, so that the window may be atthe proper vertical'height relative tothe particular "position of the operators eyes, the vertical slots but the shield may not be vertical and hence the two eyes oi' the operator may not look along aplane parallel to the upper edge or the apertures of the window device. Hence, the adjustment of the shield may need to be made'only in respect to the slot I2 at one side of the operators head to bring the lines of collimation of the eyes into the plane parallel to the upper edges of the apertures, particularly the lens aperture, ofthe device.

Extending about the front and sides of the lower portion of the operators head, as the lower law, is located a bow-shaped lever 50 pivoted at its ends by way of pivot means 5| secured to the side walls 2 and 3 of the shield and extending through slots 62 provided in the bow lever. At the forward and mid portion of the bow lever 50 is provided an aperture through which extends a rod 63 having a head 54 engaged with the rear side of the lever and a threaded shank carrying a thumb nut 56 for clamping the rod tothe lever. The forward end portion of the rod 53 is smooth and extends through an aperture 51 of a link 66 pendulously connected to a screw 53 secured to the lower end portion of the stem 46,

of the lens carrier. The aperture 51 is of amply greater diameter than that of the portion of the rod 53 extending through such aperture.

Hence, it is apparent that the downward and upward movements of the rod 53 with the lever 66 willcause a similar downward and upward If the axis of the lever 50 be in a plane not perpendicular to the line of movement of the lens there will be a slight component side movement of the rod 53. Hence, by having the rod 53 extend through the link 56 pivoted to the lens carrier, such component side movement does not cause a similar side or lateral movement of the. lens carrier, and, hence. there vis no possibility of the lens carrier becoming jammed or wedged in its race. Any component lateral movement that might be present will be compensated for by a corresponding swing ofthe link 58.

When assembling the device' the rod 53 may not `be`centrally below the center of the lens and `its carrier, but may be laterally to one side or Y position the pivot'means 5I at the ends of the bowV lever 50 are loosened so that either or both slotted ends of the lever may be moved rearwardlyA or forwardly depending upon in which lateral direction the rod 53 is to be shifted, and then the pivot means are tightened.

' Springs 60 (see Fig. l) are connected to the i lever 50 and to the side walls 2 and 3, as by screws I2 provided in the side walls 2 and 3 of the shield afford a means for vertical adjustment of the shield to bring the upper edges of the openings in the window and of the lens assembly about in line with the eyes, preferablyV slightly above the lines of collimation ofthe eyes. Such adjustment is made (see Fig. 3) by looseningthe nutsv I1 (at both sides ofthe head) and raising or lowering the shield within the limits of the length of the slots I2 to the desired position, and then tightening the nuts.

In manufacture, the shield may not be uniform or symmetrical, as for example the head harness might be sitting correctly on the operators head 6I or the like, to raise the lever 50 after it has .50.

been moved down' and released.

To the forward and midportion of the bow lever 50 is secured an angle shaped bracket having a vertical leg 62 provided with a slot 63 through which the rod 53 extends. This leg part 62 is clamped between the mid portion of the lever 50 and the thumb nut 56. It may be vertically adjusted within the limits of the slot 63. From the lower end of the leg 62 extends rearwardly and downwardly the other leg 64 of the bracket, which leg 64 also has a slot 65 for an adjustment later described.

On the bracket leg 64 is adjustably secured a chin part comprising an upwardly extending lobe 66 having an inclined face 61 which abuts the forward portion of the operators chin when the guard is in upright position as shown in Fig. 1, and a lower rearwardly extending and inclined lobe 68 normally slightly spaced below the chin of the operator, and depressible by the chin when lowered, by opening of the mouth, for that purpose. A

The chin part just described is connected to the bracket; leg 64 by a suitable bolt and thumb nut means extending through the slot 65. The adjustment, is made so that when the lobe wall 61 contacts or abuts against the operators chin the shield wall I is in such position relative to the operators face that the lines of collimation of the operator's eyes will be through the upper part of the lens 40 and the lens aperture as above described. In other words, the chin part lobe 66-61 acts as an abutment or limit stop, when the shield is swung downwardly from the dotted line to the full line positions shown in Fig. 1, whereby such lobe contacts the chin,

The space between the chin and the lobe 68 beneath it provides for a certain amount of clearance for the natural movements of the chin, as when swallowing, or chewing gum or tobacco, etc., wherein there is very little perceptible movement of the chin. But when the mouth is opened further although but for a slight way the chin will then engage the lobe 68 and depress it and accordingly cause a downward swing of the lever 50 with the rod 53, and a similar downward movement of the lens l0. The opening thus produced above the upper edge of the lens 40 will be as wide or deep as the operator desires, depending upon the degree of chin movement he makes. In other words, it is not usually necessary to effect wide openings of the lens aperture but only small openings for the purpose of affording the particular clear and unfiltered view that might be necessary between welding steps of the process of welding.

It will be noted that the width and height of the lens 40 are greater than the width and height of the apertures 32 and 33 so that when the lens 40 is in closed position its margins overlap the frame borders of the apertures referred to and there is no leakage of light past the edge or edges of the lens 40.

The upper bar of the lens carrier is out away so that the line of vision can be had directly over and past the upper edge of the lens 40 when opened, even slightly. That avoids confusion that would occur with an opaque bar at the upper edge of the lens 40. Also, it reduces the amount of chin movement that would be necessary to move the lens open to the extent to clear the bar at the upper edge of the lens.

In some cases it might be desirable to have the lens open for longer periods of time than when merely opening and closing the lens for short instants of time by small chin movements as described above, and for preventing jaw muscle fatigue. Insuch case the operator may open his mouth wide bringing the chin low so as to swing the lever 50 and the rod 53 to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 1 whereby the end 69 of the rod 53 will enter an aperture 10 of a spring 1I, the spring being first deiiected by the end 69 of the rod I'53 pressing against the spring above the aperture 'I0 and then springing back to lock the rod end 69 in the aperture 10. The lens will then be fully open and the operator may perform the work he needs to do then with a clear view and without tiring his jaw muscles. When ready to return to welding the operator need only insert a finger in the lower part of the guard to press forward the spring 'Il and release the rod 53 which will return to upper position by the force of the springs 60.

It will be notedA that the lever 50 is normally a few degrees above the horizontal plane, when the guard is in vertical position, and is swung first to such horizontal plane and then past it for a. few degrees, for the ordinary or usual manipulation by the chin to open the lens at the upper portion of the aperture for the small openings described above. To illustrate the extent oi such opening the end portion 69 of the actuating rod 53 is shown in dot anddash lines below the full line position thereof in Fig. 1.

The point of application of the chin with the chin actuated lobe 68 is about half way between the axis of the lever 50 and the point of application of the rod 53 with the link 58, so that for a given movement of the chin the lens movement is twice as much,

While having herein described and upon the drawings shown an illustrative embodiment of the invention it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto but comprehends other` constructions, details, arrangements of parts, features, or the like, without departing from the spirit of invention.

Having thus disclosed the invention, I claim:

1. In a welders helmet which comprises a head harness, a shield carrying a window with a lens means in the front wall thereof and having side walls pivotally connected to the sides of the harness; the combination of a chin operated means for opening and closing the lens means, comprising a bow shaped lever having its ends pivotally connected to the side walls of the shield and its mid-section located forwardly of the chin of the operator, a lens actuating element secured to said mid-section and extending forwardly thereof, a spring connected to a side wall and to said bow shaped lever for normally holding the lever in upper position, pivotal means connected to the lens means and to said lens actuating element, and a chin engaging member connected to said lever for operating the lens upon the lowering of the chin against said chin operated means, said pivotal connecting means between said lens means and said lens actuating element comprising a pendulous link pivotally connected to the lens means and provided with an aperture through which extends an end portion of said lens actuating element for the pendulous link to have a component lateral swing when the lens actuating element is moved with said lever.

2. In a weldershalmet which comprises a head harness, a shield carrying a window with a lens means in the front wall thereof and having side walls pivotally connected to the sides of the harness; the combination of a chin operated means for opening and closing the lens means, comprising a bow shaped lever having its ends pivotally connected to the side walls of the shield and its mid-section located forwardly of the chin of the operator, a lens actuating element secured to said mid-section and extending forwardly thereof, a spring connected to a side wall and to said bow shaped lever for normally holding the lever in upper position, pivotal means connected to the lens means and to said lens actuating element, and a chin engaging member connected to said lever for operating the lens upon the lowering of the chin against said chin operated. means, said pivotal connecting means between said lens means and said lens actuating element comprising a pendulous link pivotally connected to the lens means and provided with an aperture through which extends an end portion of said lens actuating element for the pendulous link to have a component lateral swingr when the lens actuating element is moved with said lever, and means for centering said lens actuating element below the center of the lens means, comprising means associated with said pivotal connection between said side walls and said bow lever, which means includes the provision of slots in the end portions of said bow lever and through which extend the said latter pivotal connections, and clamping means connected to said pivotal connections for adjustably clamping the slotted end portions of the bow lever.

3. In a welders helmet which-comprises a head harness, a shield carrying a window with a lens means in the front wall thereof and having side walls pivotally connected to the sides of the harness, the combination of a chin operated means for opening and closing the lens means, comprising a. bow shaped lever having its ends pivotally connected to the side walls of the shield and its mid-section located forwardly of the chin of the operator, lens actuating element secured to said mid-section and extending forwardly thereof, a spring connected to a side wall and to said bow shaped lever for normally holding the lever in upper position, pivotal means connected to the lens means and to said lens actuating element, an angular bracket having an upright leg with means for adjustably connecting said upright leg to said midsection of the lever, and a rearwardly inclined leg extending below the chin of the operator, and a chin engaging member carried by said inclined leg and having means for adjustably connecting said chin engaging member to said inclined leg.

4. In a welders helmet which comprises a. head harness, a shield carrying a window with a lens means in the front wall thereof and having side walls pivotally connected to the sides of the harness, the combination of a chin operated means for opening and closing the lens means, comprising a bow shaped lever having its ends pivotally connected to the side walls of the shield and its mid-section located forwardly of the chin of the operator, lens actuating element secured to said mid-section and extending forwardly thereof, a spring connected to a side wall and to said bow shaped lever for normally holding the lever in upper position, pivotal means connected to the lens means and to said lens actuating element, an angular bracket having an upright leg with means for adjustably connecting said upright leg to said mid-section of the lever, and a rearwardly inclined leg extending below the chin of the operator, and a chin engaging member carried by said inclined leg and having means for adjustably connecting said chin engaging member to said inclined leg, said chin engaging member comprising an upright portion for contacting the front portion of the chin, and a rearwardly inclined portion normally slightly spaced below the chin of the operator but engagea-ble by the lower part of the chin.

5. In a Welders helmet which comprises a head harness, a shield carrying a window with a lens means in the front wall thereof and having side walls plvotally connected to the sides of the harness, said lens means comprising a frame provided with upper and side channels and a lower opening, a lens carrier having a lower bar adapted to pass through said lower opening, upright side bars, and stubs at the upper ends of the side bars, and a light filtering lens piece located between said side bars, above said lower bar, and with its upper corners below said stubs for leaving the upper edge of the lens piece free between said stubs.

6. In a welders helmet which comprises a head harness, a shield carrying a window with a lens means in the front wall thereof and having side walls pivotally connected to the sides of the harness, said lens means comprising a frame provided with upper and side channels and a lower opening, a lens carrier having a lower bar adapted to pass through said lower opening, upright side bars, and stubs at the upper ends of the side bars, and a light filtering lens piece located between said side bars, above said lower bar, and with its upper corners below said stubs for leaving the upper edge of the lens piece free between I said stubs, said channels being wider than said bars and stubs to aord locating of lens pieces in the frame of different thickness.

7. In a welders helmet which comprises a head harness, a shield carrying a window with a lens means in the front wall thereof and having side walls pivotally connected to the sides of the harness, said lens means comprising a frame provided with upper and side channels and a lower opening, a lens carrier having a lower bar adapted to pass through said lower opening, upright side bars, and stubs at the upper ends of the side bars, and a light filtering lens piece located between said side bars, above said lower bar, and with its upper corners below said stubs for leaving the upper edge of the lens piece free between said stubs, said lens piece having its edge portions overlapping the walls of said channels and the sides of said lower opening to exclude the passage of light between said walls and sides.

8. In a welders helmet which comprises a head harness, a shield carrying a window with a lens means in the front wall thereof and having side walls pivotally connected to the sides of the harness; the combination of a chin operated means for opening and closing the lens means, comprising a bow shaped lever having its ends pivotally connected to the side walls of the shield and its mid-section located forwardly of the chin of the operator, a lens actuating element secured to said mid-section and extending forwardly thereof, a spring connected to a side wall and to said bow shaped lever for normally holding the lever in upper position, a chin engaging member connected to said lever for operating the lens upon the lowering of the chin against said chin operated means, and a latching means comprising a spring connected to a lower portion of the shield and in the path of movement of the lens actuating element, and provided with a catch element for locking with said lens actuating element.

HAROLD ROY MADSON.

CERTIFICATE OF yOORREOTION. Patent No. 2,559,280. Janudry 18, 191m.

HAROLD ROY msdn.

It is 'hereby certified that error appears inthe printed 'specification of the abovevnunbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, second column, line 71, after "closedI insert by`; Aand. that the said Lettera Patent should be read'v'vit'n this correction therein that the seme may confonn to the record of the cesein the Patent Office.

signed ma sealed this 18th dq of April, A D, 19M.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

